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DRIVING AND STOPLIGHTS

August 5, 2013

I learned something a few years ago that I have never forgotten. Recent events with friends have recalled it to mind and in an effort to save what I have learned and hopefully help any readers looking for answers, I am sharing it here.
It is my belief that one of the hardest things for we as humans to learn in our lives is how we receive revelation, or communication from the Lord. I am still learning how to listen to and understand His will for me, but I have learned that discerning revelation from the Lord is a lot like driving.

Before you get your driver's license, you find yourself in your Dad's old-person car that turns on the headlights automatically (so you don't forget) and has brakes more sensitive than that one girl in high school. At first, you make plenty of mistakes, not stopping early enough, stopping too soon, speeding, etc. etc. and each time, your father lovingly (albeit sternly) corrects you so you know what you did wrong and not make that mistake again in the future. The more you practice, the more you get a feel for the car, laws, and road and your father's corrections become fewer and fewer in between. Eventually, you get to a point where your father isn't saying anything anymore, even if that was the best left turn anyone's ever seen! Every now-and-then, you can't help but peek out of the corner of your eye to see if Dad's squirming or not, but he remains silent, until you run that red light (again).
When we're driving safely and following all the traffic laws, there's no need for Dad to say anything about it to us, and so he doesn't. It doesn't mean that we're doing something wrong or that he doesn't care. It just means that he trusts us enough to make the right decisions that will keep us safe. He will intervene when something we've done is wrong or unsafe.
Receiving revelation is like a stoplight. Sometimes when we pray, we get a solid green light, an undeniable truth that tells us to move forward. Sometimes we get a red light, warning us against the dangers that lie ahead if we continue. And sometimes we get a yellow light.
When the light turns yellow, we are no longer receiving a black and white, yes or no answer. Our question suddenly turns into a choice that is left up to us and our knowledge of the situation. It's no longer a question of can I go forward, but should I go forward. The yellow light is a time for reflection and study. Are you going to go, or will you stop? Is there danger ahead, or will you be okay?
The yellow light is the Lord's way of saying, "I trust you to study the question in your mind and make the wisest decision for yourself." He does not wish to tell us everything we must do. He wants us to experience life and to grow personally, and we cannot do this if we are being told exactly what we can and can not do. The Lord loves us enough to allow us to make our own decisions and maybe make a few mistakes, but he will always correct us when we go wrong, as long as we are willing to hear him. That is why He gave us agency.
Nothing can be more frustrating, and yet, so enabling as a silent yellow light. When I was deciding whether or not to marry Andrew, I prayed and prayed and prayed, but all I got was that yellow light. At the time, it was hard to understand whether or not that yellow light, or lack of answer, was an answer in-and-of itself telling me that Andrew wasn't right for me. But I knew that he was a good man and I knew that I loved him very much. It wasn't until I had decided to go forward, take a step, or leap, of faith that I received my green light.
Now that I look back on that experience, I am so grateful that I didn't get the green light right away. I look back and think to myself, "Self? You did good," and I think that's important. If there ever comes a time in our marriage where things are just really hard, I feel like I can look back on my initial decision to marry my husband and be reminded that he was my choice, and I can always feel proud that of all the choices I've made in my life, at least I made one that was right.
Don't be frustrated because you're not getting an answer, and don't believe, even for a second, that the Lord doesn't care about you or your circumstance. Anything that is important to you is important to Him. You are His child and He will always be there to help and support you. Maybe instead of asking for a yes-or-no answer to our problem when we're receiving a yellow light, it's time to ask for strength and a clear mindset so that we can make a wise decision. He will always hear you, and He will always help, but please... Keep your eyes on the road!

Susan, I am making some decisions in my life right now and I remembered that I saw on Facebook that you had written about receiving revelation. Thank you so much for posting this! You have some amazing insights. I have been at a yellow light for a l long time and it's time for me to make a decision with a "clear mindset." Thanks, Susan!